Postgame ponderings

DETROIT Searching for answers to his longevity, a lot of visiting media often ask Nashville Coach Barry Trotz about his message – and how after 13 years on the job coaching the Predators, it doesn’t get stale. Tonight was a perfect example. Just one day ago, Trotz singled out three players, Martin Erat, David Legwand and Patric Hornqvist as Predators who needed to step up their offensive games. Both Erat and Legwand scored goals and Hornqvist added an assist in Nashville’s 4-1 victory over Detroit. I don’t know what is said behind closed doors, but clearly, after all these years, there’s still a high respect level for Trotz amongst his players. Whatever the man asks, he receives

Here are your postgame ponderings …

It’s tough to understand how the Predators have Detroit’s number this season. It’s not like it’s an off-year for the Central Division leading Red Wings. The Predators are 3-1-0 against Detroit, and have outscored the Wings 12-8. Detroit is deep at forward, strong on the blueline and has a coach who has won a Stanley Cup and an Olympic Gold Medal. The only real area where the Predators have a distinct advantage is at goaltender. Clearly that has been enough to eek out three wins over their rival.

You want to know why Pekka Rinne is Nashville’s MVP this year? Take a look at the shots on goal numbers for the Predators and their opponents. Nashville’s opposition averages 30.2 shots on goal. The Predators fire 28.7 shots. Tonight was a similar game. The Red Wings outshot the Predators 35-30. Most importantly, Rinne didn’t let the Predators’ Monday loss to lowly Edmonton get into his head. He looked as sharp as ever.

This victory doesn’t change Nashville’s issues with consistency. The Predators have two wins in their last seven games. On the positive side, Nashville has won two of their last three contests. Still, it feels like peaks and valleys with this team. Right now they’re at the point in the season where one more push could give them some cushion in between themselves and ninth place. It could even give them a shot at home ice in the first round – which is something they desperately need if they want to move into the second round for the first time in franchise history.

Patric Hornqvist may not have been Nashville’s top scorer tonight, but he was the Preds’ best forward. His screen on Detroit goalie Jimmy Howard directly contributed to Sergei Kostitsyn’s goal. Trotz often says he wants his players to be like “wolverines” around the net. That was Hornqvist. He only has one goal in his last nine games, but if he keeps playing like this, the scores will come.